Theatre lovers will benefit from big screen renditions of sell-out West End productions thanks to a new venture from Cineworld.

The Hinckley multiplex is partnering with CinemaLive and ScreenLive Entertainment to show a series of events, starting with an encore performance of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale starring and directed by Kenneth Brannagh and featuring Judi Dench.

It is the first in what cinema bosses hope will be a regular attraction alongside the conventional movie showings with the potential for concerts, sports events and other international spectacles to be broadcast locally.

The practice is now both commonplace and popular in picture houses up and down the country and Hinckley Cineworld manager Chris Clarkson said the company was keen to bring the practice to the new outlet.

He said: “We have confirmed quite a few events over the next few months. It will be interesting to see how it goes and I’d like to try out everything. Previous events have included live concerts from artists such as Ed Sheeran, live theatre performances and boxing matches. The sky is the limit really.

“It’s ideal for the theatre lover who wants to see a major London play but perhaps can’t get tickets or isn’t keen on travel. You pay a fraction of the cost to watch exactly the same production in the comfort of the cinema, right on your doorstep.”

On March 3 the National Theatre’s performance of Hangmen will be beamed live to Hinckley.

One patron told Mr Clarkson she had tried to get tickets to Hangmen to no avail and so had decided to book a holiday instead.

“When I told her we were showing the play live she was gutted,” said Chris.

As well as the main screenings, the cinema broadcasts also often feature extras such as question and answer sessions with the stars.

The usual format of lights down as the play starts, an interval and lights up again before the second half will be followed just as if people are actually in front of the stage.

Chris said: “I’m hoping people will get excited about what we are doing, I certainly am. We will see what reaction we get and take it from there. Different sites do well with different things, we just need to find out what people across the area want to see.”

Following Hangmen on March 3 there is a screening of The Railway Children on Easter Monday March 28. For more details check out Cineworld’s website.